Umar Akmal Banned, Fined Over Spat With Coach

Batsman had verbal confrontation with Mickey Arthur, resulting in three-match ban and Rs. 1 million fine

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed controversial batsman Umar Akmal a three-match ban and a fine of one million rupees ($10,000) on Thursday, for an outburst against head coach Mickey Arthur last month.

The 27-year-old, who had an infamous scuffle with a traffic warden, which ended with a day in jail in 2014, had a verbal confrontation with Arthur in Lahore.

Akmal went to the media and alleged Arthur had used foul language against him during a practice session in a training camp in Lahore, an accusation Arthur denied. The PCB said Akmal had violated three clauses of his contract, mainly giving interview to media without permission.

A three-member disciplinary committee investigated the matter and found Akmal guilty. “The PCB disciplinary committee found Umar to be in breach of his central contract on multiple occasions. Resultantly, chairman PCB Najam Sethi agreed to impose a three match ban and a fine of one million rupees,” said a PCB statement.

The PCB said Akmal would also not be allowed to play abroad for two months.

Former coach Waqar Younis, who was replaced by Arthur in 2016, also had problems with Akmal’s discipline and attitude. In 2015, Younis had recommended Akmal should not be selected for the national team for at least two years, but his recommendation was not followed.

Akmal was also withdrawn from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad after he failed a fitness test in England in June.